Writing Safely Home

By
Randy AlcornFebruary 7, 2010

On my computer is the verse, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” I’m always keenly aware of this truth, but never more than when I write a book. Safely Home was a particularly huge challenge. My goal was to tell a compelling story, one which fueled the reader’s imagination, and also served the purpose of Proverbs 31:8-9, speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

I was raised in a nonchristian home. I came to Christ in high school, and started reading Tortured for Christ, God's Smuggler and Fox's Book of Martyrs. I was deeply touched by stories of people who put it all on the line for their Lord.

When I was in Bible college I led a weekly prayer group for China, when accurate information was hard to come by. At that time Mao was still in power, pastors were imprisoned and sometimes killed, and the country was closed to missionary activity. When the fog cleared, some expected to see that the church had been exterminated. In fact, it had multiplied in size hundreds of times! What happened in those years was astonishing. There have been more martyrs for Christ in China than in any country in history. And yes, there are still some dying today.

I thought, who am I to convey the joy and trials of Chinese Christians? I spent a week in China, met Christians, read lots of books, interviewed people, but I still didn’t feel qualified to write this book. Along with the help of a prayer team which plays a vital role in my writing, I often got on my knees a few times an hour, praying He would give me the words. Writing this book made a deep impact on me.’

Without a doubt, in terms of their global impact the two most significant countries on the planet are China and the United States. As recent events have shown, the countries have a profoundly uneasy relationship. Safely Home is a tale of two countries, embodied in two men, Ben Fielding and Li Quan. These characters and their families came alive for me, and I pray they will for readers too.

100% of royalties from Safely Home will go to help persecuted Christians and to spread the gospel in their countries. This book is my gift to the Lord, and to my persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope readers will enjoy this story. It isn’t a downer, it’s an inspiration and encouragement. It has its light moments, and it conveys a fresh view of heaven. I pray it helps readers to find their joy in Christ and serve Him with greater joy and abandonment.

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